Today, the gambling market is rich in different types of games for any taste. Casinos offer everything we can imagine to please their clients. There is only one drawback that can be remedied, and it’s bad luck when it comes to hitting a bonus in slots. Unlike other games, outcomes of slots are completely down to a random set of numbers. Thus, this type of gambling might be really time- and money-consuming, and no strategy will help you surely win. But there is a key that may let you enjoy in-built features without betting for long, and it’s bonus buy slots that offer such an amazing option.
What is a Bonus Buy Slot?
Bonus buy games are the same as ordinary slots, but they provide you with an opportunity to buy the coveted feature and benefit from the bonus game as if you have reached it on your own. In other words, these slots can vary in visual themes, numbers of reels and rows, providers, paylines, and symbols like traditional ones. However, when you gamble in feature buy slots, you can enjoy the same gaming process with no need to spend a fortune on getting a bonus. It can be bought at any moment without multiple attempts to hit the necessary combination. So, playing feature buy is usually more profitable than making bets, unless you’re the luckiest person.
Kinds of Symbols
Nowadays, slot pay tables are improving to meet gamblers' demands. Online slot machines came a long way from three-reels to unusual patterns to satisfy sophisticated players. Paylines and symbols are getting more complex as well.
For your convenience, we have made up a list of symbols. It will help you learn what types of icons you can come across since it's a combination of symbols which triggers bonuses.
Scatter Symbol
The standard symbol is the most common type of symbols, as you can run into it in all slots. These symbols are usually depicted in the shape of a letter or number. In old-fashioned slot machines, they represented fruits, for instance, cherries, lemons, and grapes. You can get a prize provided that a winning line is hit, and there are no bonuses connected with the standard symbol.
Standard Symbol
It is one of the most desired and uncommon symbols. Unlike the standard icon, it can do two things. It can pay out money, and it could even happen when a single scatter appears. But a much better prize will wait for you if you manage to get more than one scatter. In this case, the symbols can also trigger special features. Usually, it can be free spins, but you can stumble upon other options like bonus games, rounds with multipliers, and so on.
Bonus Symbol
Bonus and scatter symbols are much alike, except for the fact that the former doesn’t provide payouts itself as scatter sometimes does. It only triggers some features, for instance, free spins and bonus rounds. Sometimes bonus symbols are termed as the feature which it activates. For example, you can come across an icon FS, which triggers some free spins.
Also, there has to be a set of bonus symbols to activate some freebies, whereas scatter symbols can give a winning upon the appearance of one icon. Overall, the bonus and the scatter symbols have much in common but still differ a bit.
Wild Symbol
There are hardly any slots without wild symbols. This type is nearly as common as the standard one. The function of wilds is to be a substitute for any icon on the payline. For example, if two similar symbols show up on the row, the wild will turn out to be one of them, provided that it is a part of the payline. So, such a combination makes a payout like a set of three identical icons.
Compatibility with other symbol types is set by providers. Wild is used to replace only standard icons, but there are games where such symbols can be equal to all symbols in the paytable.
Rules of the game are determined by developers, and symbols may work in different ways, depending on particular titles. Nonetheless, we can identify special types of wild symbols, which could be found in the game.
Firstly, it’s expanding wild symbols. Upon showing up, the expanding wild covers the whole row, where it’s located. All the reels turn out to have one wild symbol, so there is a high probability of getting a payline.
Secondly, it’s sticky wild symbols. If a sticky wild occurs, it will stick to the reel where it has appeared. So, if there are at least two wild symbols which are attached to the same position, the likelihood of hitting a payline increases a lot. The number of spins during which the wild remains stuck to one position is regulated by software suppliers.
In some titles, a sticky wild can occupy the whole reel where it has landed like an expanding one, so such a row gives more opportunities to get a payline, as there will be one wild symbol per each reel. In this form, the drum spins one or more times.
There can be some more characteristics for sticky wild symbols. For example, this icon can occur both in the regular round and in the bonus one, based on game settings. Also, there is a respin with landing of another sticky wild in some games. Thus, there can be a decent number of sticky wild pros.
Thirdly, there is a walking, or jumping, wild symbol. As the name tells us, it changes its position with every spin and moves in any direction, which depends on game settings. So, walking wild is similar to a sticky one in attaching to one position, but this sticking lasts during one spin.
Thus, all the types of wilds might be in the game or there could be only regular ones. You can benefit from wilds and other symbols in multiple ways since various sets of them are found in different games. There are too many symbol forms to describe each one, as it requires considering nearly every bonus buy slot that exists. So, you should try playing different slots yourself and check pay tables before playing.
What Features Can I Purchase in Bonus Buy Slots?
There are so many freebies you can purchase in feature buy slots that they can be different for every game. Providers often offer something new to gain players’ attention. So, we are going to describe only those which you come across most of the time.
Free Spins
The most common feature is free spins. It doesn't just offer free bets but also activates a special mode that allows you to win more. When playing with additional spins, gamblers get more bonuses, as there are usually added features, which are found in the regular game less often.
There is usually a set of 10 spins which a player could buy, but some games can offer bigger or smaller packs. Also, in many cases, such a bonus goes with a multiplier, which increases the winnings you earn during a session of free spins. The figure of the multiplier depends on a particular title, but it is often x3.
Multiplier
In some games, you can buy a multiplier as a particular bonus feature. It multiplies your winning, based on the provider's stake. The price also depends on the developer’s settings, though it usually equals your total bet or the sum that is equivalent to your bet multiplied by several times.
So, here are the two most frequent feature buy bonuses you can come across. However, there are some freebies you can’t buy, but they still can appear in many bonus buy slots. Special symbols are the perfect example. But the most popular extra is a gamble round.
A Feature That Cannot Be Bought: What Is a Gamble Round?
The gamble round is a type of in-built mini-game which allows players to try their luck one more time. Although this feature isn’t widely-spread and this item is unavailable for buying, it can be as gripping as a standard bonus game.
Often it represents a card-guessing activity, but different developers can come up with various types of games. The gambler is usually given the choice of whether to play it or not after hitting a payline. The reward of the non-bonus game is increased, provided that a player has managed to win at the gamble round. However, in case they haven’t guessed, their winnings are lost.
Why Should I Play Bonus Buy Slots?
It might be quite a while before you manage to get a bonus round and receive some lucrative rewards. If you don’t like to spend your money and time waiting for free spins, a bonus buy slot will work for you.
If you are used to playing slots, you won’t see the difference, because it’s all the same but the option to buy a feature. You still can choose slots considering different aspects, for example the quantity of paylines. However, you may decide if you want to seize a bonus immediately or not yourself when playing a bonus buy game. So, it’s better to know that you have the chance to enjoy a bonus whenever you want.
Many players choose to buy a bonus anyway. The point is that it’s bonus rounds which offer the highest payouts. Playing the basic game, you could hit the jackpot, but it will hardly be bigger than the one you could earn using the feature buy option, as there are more perks such as multipliers, added wilds, respins, and others. So, there is a significant reason to try bonus buy slots.
How Much Does a Bonus Cost?
The cost of bonuses is set by the game provider, but there can be small differences in price.
Generally, it depends on the amount of your stake. For example, playing the For the Realm! title by Mascot, you have to spend €63 to buy 10 spins with a €3 bet per stake, which also include wild reels and respins. But if you set the minimal bet, which is €0.15, you will buy 10 free spins for €3.15.
We see that in both variants the sum of features is calculated due to your stake. Although the price of a bonus is twice as high as betting the same number of times, you can earn more than you spend on feature purchase, as bonus games include multipliers and respins usually.
Why Can't I Reach the Bonus Round on My Own?
All slots are created with particular characteristics which determine the outcome of the game. One of them is a Random Number Generator (RNG) which is in charge of producing random numbers that affect the result of a round. Actually, this system always generates a set of figures and when a player makes a bet, the RNG uses the last result it produced to show a corresponding outcome. There are too many digits to predict the result because it’s up to a trillion numbers in a second, so RNG can’t follow a pattern.
Asides from the RNG, there is a Return to Player characteristic which defines what percentage of stakes returns to players as prizes. RTP is set by the provider, usually it’s about 96%, but this figure could be both higher and lower. However, it doesn’t mean the whole and exact share of money spent on wagering will return to every player who bets it. This percentage relates to all bets and winnings in particular slots for an entire period of gambling.
The outcome of a game is random, there is a great number of people playing slots currently, and the title always operates. Taking it into account, we see there are different sums that every player will be able to win if so. The percentage indicates the money that all the players can win hypothetically, and no one knows what the result will be.
So, there is no curse. If you don’t manage to reach a bonus game, perhaps someone else is able to do this. Nobody knows who will be lucky to get a bonus next time, even the team of developers. It’s the bonus buy slots which are created for those who don’t want to wait for the feature to drop itself.
Top 5 Games with Bonus Buy Feature
Book of Golden Joker
Book of Golden Joker is a colorful game by Retro Gaming. This title has quite a high RTP of 96.57%. Although it has 10 paylines, this game is rich in various perks. Its main feature is the option to buy a Retro Bet bonus, which is an x1-x5 multiplier. This bonus increases all your winnings and can be turned off at any moment, so it’s likely to earn a fortune for you.
Aside from this feature, there is a unique symbol, which is a scatter and a wild at the same time. So, if a wild lands, it is counted as any symbol. Moreover, it can multiply your winning by up to x250 and give you 10 free spins. So, this symbol is very beneficial to players.
Finally, bonuses can trigger a free spin round with respins and expanding symbols. Book of Golden Joker will be suitable even for picky players.
Wild Cash
Wild Cash by BGaming is a 3x3 slot, which has a classic design with fruit symbols and simple rules. This game barely leaves players indifferent if they feel nostalgic about what slots used to be. Its main characteristics are a 92% RTP rate and high volatility. If you hit the jackpot, it’s likely to be a big one.
Three bonus symbols have to land on the payline so that players grab the feature built into the slot, but they can use the bonus buy option. The main advantage of this bonus is that you also try your luck and spin additional drums to get the figure of your multiplier, which applies to your bet. The multiplier can be up to 999x and, thus, may provide you with a significant sum.
For many games in the Golden Star casino, including Wild Cash, there is a demo available to play. So, try it out right now!
Sharks Bay
Sharks Bay is a slot game by Zillions Games on the marine theme. It has outstanding graphics, but most importantly it has a great number of bonuses.
You can come across both wilds and scatters. The likelihood of winning is also increased by the structure of the paytable, as there aren’t particular paylines. The player just has to get several symbols placed in the left -to-right order. So, Sharks Bay has 117,649 ways to win!
As for features, there are two types of free spins available for buying. The Wilds wave and Bubbles up with 10 free spins, which are almost the same, except for its appearance. Waves or Bubbles in these bonus games are in charge of moving the jumping wild, which boosts your chances of winning big. To get free spins without purchasing, a player has to hit 3 scatters.
If you like diverse bonus games with big winnings, it’s high time you played Sharks Bay!
Sharks Bay
Sharks Bay is a slot game by Zillions Games on the marine theme. It has outstanding graphics, but most importantly it has a great number of bonuses.
You can come across both wilds and scatters. The likelihood of winning is also increased by the structure of the paytable, as there aren’t particular paylines. The player just has to get several symbols placed in the left -to-right order. So, Sharks Bay has 117,649 ways to win!
As for features, there are two types of free spins available for buying. The Wilds wave and Bubbles up with 10 free spins, which are almost the same, except for its appearance. Waves or Bubbles in these bonus games are in charge of moving the jumping wild, which boosts your chances of winning big. To get free spins without purchasing, a player has to hit 3 scatters.
If you like diverse bonus games with big winnings, it’s high time you played Sharks Bay!
Book of Light
Book of Light is a 5x5 online slot machine by Platipus with a 95% RTP rate. This game is about an archaeological site in Egypt and it has a lot of tinges of gold in its design, which is evocative of treasures and pyramids. The player is meant to be an archaeologist, and with various bonuses available in Book of Light, you can imagine that you find a real gem.
There are both scatters and expanding wilds. Three scatters trigger free spins, but you are free to buy this bonus. The main slot feature is that the Book Symbol is a scatter and a wild at the same time. So, the player can benefit from this symbol in different ways.
This game is perfect for newcomers in the slots, as it has nice graphics and quite simple rules.
Banana Town
Banana Town is an amusing game by Relaxing Gaming with hilarious monkey characters. It has an original design, as it is stylized as an old game machine.
It has a great number of features as well. The first one is a multiplier, which is attached to every bonus. Every time a payline occurs, you receive a multiplier on this winning, based on the number of landed symbols. This multiplier applies to bonus games as well.
Also, you can get 8 free spins upon landing of 3 symbols, where each additional bonus symbol gives an extra rotation. Moreover, you will be provided with respin, if a bonus symbol lands during free spins. The free spins can be bought in one click without the necessity to wait, which is convenient, as it’s the bonus game which has 96,5% RTP and allows you to win a significant bankroll.
Thus, Banana Town is a perfect game for relaxing and having fun!
FAQ
Why didn't I manage to buy a bonus?
Sometimes, users can’t buy a bonus due to the availability of other ones, for example, free spins included in the welcome promo. So, try spending all bonuses available for your account before buying another one. If you still can’t buy a feature, reach out to our manager via live chat or email.
What is the limit on the bonus buying?
The limit on bonus buying is set by providers. So, you should check the info section in the game. If you didn’t manage to find any information on limits, probably there are no restrictions.
Is a bonus buy game permitted in my country?
You don’t have to worry whether bonus buy games are permitted in your residence country or not, as all games that are restricted in your land are hidden from you. We operate legally, so you aren’t able to break the law, playing in Golden Star. For example, citizens of the UK can't get access to bonus buy games, as this kind of game is banned according to the UK law.